Trap-nest.



PATENTBD AUG. 20; 1907.-

W. L-. NIEMANN.

TRAP NEST. APPLIOA'HOI FILED APB.10.1907.

3mm WZZz'amLA wmaim cm. WASHINGTON, u. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIC ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO EDWARD F.

NIEMANN, OF MOUNT OLIVE, ILLINOIS.

TRAP-NEST.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 20, 1907.

Application filed April 10, 1907. Serial No. 367,383-

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, \VILLIAM L. NIEMANN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Mount Olive, in the county of Macoupin and State of Illinois, have invented new and useful Improvements in Trap-Nests, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in hens nests of the type commonly called trap nests, and has for its object to provide a simple, efficient and reliable construction of nest of this character wherein the hen may be conveniently trapped for the purpose of keeping a laying record of any particular hen, and wherein an improved construction of door is employed to admit the hen to the nest without liability of injury.

The preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a front view of a nest embodying the invention with the door thereof closed. Fig. 2 is a vertical front to rear section of the same. Fig. 3 is a vertical front to rear section, showing the door set for use. Fig. 4 is a similar view, showing the door locked in retracted position.

Referring to the drawing, the numeral 1 designates the body of the nest, which is generally in the form of a rectangular box, and may be of any preferred or convenient size and material, said box being provided at its front with a door or entrance way 2, at the base of which is a transverse threshold strip 3.

The door or entrance way is adapted to be closed by a folding trap 4 comprising top and bottom sections 5 and 6, the upper section 5 being provided at its upper edge with eyes 7 pivotally engaging a rod 7 supported transversely at the upper end of the door-way. Hinges or pivots connect the upper edge of the section 6 with the lower edge of the section thus pivotally supporting section 6 from section When the door is closed the two sections hang in vertical alinement, and the lower edge of the section 6 terminates a short distance above the upper edge of the threshold strip 3.

The lower section (5 of the door is provided at its opposite ends adjacent to or in line w th its lower edge with guide pins or projections 9 extending into vertical guideways 10 at opposite sides of the doorway. These guideways 10 may be formed of sheet metal or other suitable material and taper or gradually increase in width from front to rear in an upward direct-ion, each of said guideways being provided with a front vertical stop flange 11 and an upwardly and rearwardly inclined guide flange 12, on which latter the guide pins or projections 9 are adapted to ride in the upward movement of the door to a fully retracted position.

I In setting the door for use, it is swung backward i to a slightly rearward inclined position and the lower .door section 6 swung upward on the hinges 8 in front of section 5, as shown in Fig. 3, with the lugs 9 bearing against flanges 11, whereby the door is supported in trapping position. When the hen enters the nest through the space between the threshold strips and folded door. her back will brush against the edges united by hinges 8. As a result, the door will be swung inward to the dotted line position in Fig. 3, and will drop by gravity to the closed position shown in Fig. 1, thus trapping the hen. Engagement of the lugs 9 with the flanges 11 will prevent the hen from swinging the door forward, so that she can not escape. By simply raising the door, however, in an obvious manner, the door may be removed and reset for further use. When it is desired to dispense with the use of the door and employ the nest as an ordinary nest, said door may be swung upwardly to the limit of its folding movement, as shown in Fig. 4, and held open by means of a bolt or latch device 13, suitably supported llOlIl the top wall of the nest In this operation the lugs 9 will ride upward and inward on the guide flanges 12 and bear thereon, thus assist ing the latch in supporting the door. When the latch is retracted, the door will unfold and drop by gravity to closed position, guided by the downward movement of lugs 9 on flanges 12. Openings 14 may be provided in one or both of the door sections for ventil ating purposes.

In practice, the upper door section 5 is preferably one-fourth or more wider, measuring in avertical direction. than the lower section 6, these proportions having been found advantageous, for the reason that the lower section operates more efficiently under these conditions, and a better folding motion is obtained.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, is:

1. A trap nest comprising a body having a doorway, a trap door pivotally supported at the top of the doorway and comprising upper and lower hinged sections, and guiding means for the lower section adapting the door to fold upwardly and inwardly and to be held from moving outwardly beyond its closing position.

2. A trap nest comprising a body having a doorway, a trap door pivotally supported at the top of the doorway and comprising upper and lower hinged sections, guides at the sides of the doorway, and guiding members on the lower door sections adapted to engage the said guides.

A trap nest comprising a body having a doorway, guides at opposite sides of the doorway, each of said It will be seen that a simple structure for the purguides having a front stop flange at the front thereof and a rear upwardly and rearwardly inclined guide flange, and a door comprising" upper and lower hinged sections, the upper section being hinged at the top of the doorway and the lower section provided at its lower end with projections moving in said guides, whereby the door is adapted to fold upwardly and inwardly and to be held from moving outwardly beyond its closing position.

4. A trap nest comprising a body having a doorway, a trap door hinged at the top of the doorway and comprising pivotally connected upper and lower sections, guiding 10 means adapting the sections to fold and swing, and a latch to engage the door and hold it in open position.

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM L. NIEIWIANN. Witnesses:

WILLIAM Hrnnoxnms, E. W. Knlsnn. 

